Hermann Prey "Largo al factotum"

[babs22hh]

such a strangely directed scene why is he talking to dolls?

[124235346]

Love how he does the embellishments that a lot of singers avoid!

[Rapid88bg]

@Humorgous Pavarotti was a tenor, Figaro is a Baritonial character. How can you compare this interpretation to Pavarotti?

[leonecrociato91]

Il miglior Figaro che abbia mai visto,fantastico!

[mnunezper]

@Humorgous Pavarotti is a tenor my friend, this guy is a baritone. Moreover, probably you also think that Andrea Bocelli is a good singer :P so I will not argue about what you said.

[P1B1U1H1]

I adore this song so much. Every GOOD singer is my favorite on this one.

[johngeorgedale]

Great finish

[Nismos07]

Che bel piacere..

[dottormario200]

il figaro per eccellenza, per me nessuno è al suo pari inquesto ed in molti altri

[VeroniqueCG]

Yum!!! I love this aria and this fellow made it famous!!!!!!!! And he is gorgeous!!. The other one is Thomas Hampson and his beautiful performance at the 1991 Met Gala Concert.

I first heard this when I was 13 years old - hahahaha - a good 55 years ago. What a joy it has been all those years and what delight I have felt.

[VeroniqueCG]

@VeroniqueCG I should mention that I found a ginger cat when I was 19 and named him Figaro - well who wouldn't? I took great delight in calling him into his dinner across Broadway in Nedlands in Western Australia. Sob, he was skittled and died and my heart broke. My heart always breaks when one of my cats dies. Aah. I handle it:-)

[lordoftheheavymetal]

Ah, finally! I've seen this on Tv and it took me forever to find it on Youtube cause I didn't know the cast. Thanks for uploading :D

[mjcruz21]

excelente vozzz



[fasanlort]

lyrics please

[VeroniqueCG]

@fasanlort Not hard to find. Use google and they will be there.

[MrMannshausen]

sehr schöne aufnahme - und inszenierung

[tyrelroo]

I love Hermann Prey in this. It's so light and joyful.  And he's even better playing Figaro in Mozart :D

[AlexandraB1956]

Not only has Hermann Prey a beautiful voice, it has more life in it than most opera singers have - be they tenor, bariton or bass. I always feel a big smile tugging at the corners of my mouth when I listen to him. || Nicht nur, dass Hermann Prey eine strahlende Stimme hat, er ist auch einer der besten Schauspieler gewesen, den die Oper hatte.

[4321suisse]

hermann prey is the best figaro

[ancamg]

Beautiful, but is this a movie?

[Wamofan]

@ancamg Yes it is a movie and available on DVD; check Amazon,

[fox64able]

Der Größte aller Barbiere.Bei diesem Frisör ist man bestens bedient!!!

[CowboyBebop444]

i have this in dvd. this is the best production of the Barber of Seville

[rejnol93]

4:08 Amazing

[Sinn575]

The best Figaros of all times:

1. Sherrill Milnes

2. Hermann Prey

3. Thomas Hampson

[cincorn]

I own this version and have watched it many times. It's wonderful! Alva and Berganza are standout!

[nothatsaknife]

Haha what's with the couple making out at the end?

[Gods0Child]

@nothatsaknife hhh i know, i think its just like in the beginning a part of a previous (next) song.

[FriKKuzzo]

Awesome recitation , but I am more affectionated to Gino Quillico 's Cavatina.

[01misheel]

i like it but what is he singing about?

[sjchundreddays]

@01misheel: I was just wondering the same thing mate, if you check it out on Wikipedia there is a translation to english.

[nvhearld]

@01misheel he's singing about how he used to be a meth dealer, but foreign outsourcing caused him to lose clients to the mexicans. So he had to become a male prostitute instead. then he realizes how happy being a whore makes him

[Lardawan]

@01misheel About busy life of a successfull barber that he is. He also bitches about his frustration caused by everyone demanding his services at once. But he also admites that he is really happyabout being so popular. 

[cincorn]

@01misheel I'm sure you can find a translation on line but roughly he's a barber held in high regard and his services are constantly being sought out by all. He says something about what a wonderful life for a 1st class barber...ladies, men, young, old all want his services day and night and they are constantly calling for him (his name is Figaro so when he sings all the Figaro's he is imitating all those calling on him constantly for his services. I love Herman's energy in his version.

[cincorn]

@01misheel also, check out a version sung by Simon Keenlyside here on youtube. It has english subtitiles, and Simon does an admirable job to boot.

[gabibetis]

el mejorrrrrrr me gusta mozart pero il barbiere es lo mejor (pa mi claro)que arte ja ja

[TheSpringSunrise]

Credo che Rossini ha scritto Il Barbiere specialmente per Hermann Prey. La sua leggerezza fa volare. Anchio ho comprato DVD con la versione 1972 e per me non esiste piu niente. Bravo Hermann!

[Isautubefan]

Excellent rendition of this aria... I bought the DVD containing this version of The Barber of Seville last week by Amazon!!! I received It and watched it this morning. All the singers were great... the staging is gorgeous!!! 2hrs 15 min of pure happinness...!!!!

[GuardianIII]

8 justin bieber fans hate this.

[MrOpera67]

@GuardianIII I know Justin Bieber is no good but can there please be a video which does not contain anti-Bieber comments?

[77relpet]

Orecchie in estasi per questa fantastica aria, una delle migliori di sempre. Agli 8 che hanno risposto " non mi piace", consiglio Lady Gaga chè è al loro livello..

[LulyBrown]

Bravisimo!!!

[peduzzi89]

This must be European - it's so high!

[Jens0880]

The only singer I've heard that actually sings exactly what Rossini wrote. And damn good too!

[Vincenzo2010an]

fantastic!

[draklorian]

498 people who didnt have gittery hands like the other 8

[Heautontimouronmenos]

bravo bravissimo!!!!!!!

[jebustillos]

this is flawless!!!!

[stefano1988]

THE BEST FIGARO!!!!

[YFdC]

Have the DVD... love love to see it everytime :-)

[1Victorinus]

An absolutely fabulous voice!!

[TheTremo99]

Excellent. Too bad it gets cut off though at the end =/

[johnclones]

can somebody translate this aria in to English?

whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you recieved it and you will have it mark 11:24

Glory tio God forever!

Glory to God for all things!

This is agreat opera!

Hi Mary kay Doak in maplewood, MO!

[jewelmarkess]

@johnclones There are subtitled versions here e.g. Peter Mattei's from the Met. You can also google for "Barber of Seville sysnopsis" or something like this, maybe find trainslation on google.

[RoyKa2010]

Comeone,people! Stop comparing! It's NOT some bloody competition! For once... just SHUSH, listen and enjoy!

"chacun à son goût"

[latenightpilgrim]

the best ever - no argument

[ThePlutino]

andate alla Scala a vedere il Barbiere. è meraviglioso. con il grande direttore Michele Mariotti.

[andavenport]

Michigan J. Frog is the best

[psalmtone2008]

Effortless...like bubbles rising...unforced and beautiful.

[Marlene55M]

Ha! Herman was the baritone of my childhood. Thanks for posting!

[Villeneuve27rosso]

La mia classifica degli interpreti di Figaro:

1° Tito Gobbi

2° Gino Bechi

3° Hermann Prey

Sono dei grandissimi....

[musicg1978]

Prey is great, Nucci is better!

[90lysander]

@musicg1978 Just the sound of Nucci's name hurts my ears, to say nothing of his voice!

[Wamofan]

@musicg1978

i can 't agree because Nucci does not meet many notes, but Hermann Prey is able to sing correctly a n d he has IMO the more beautiful voice. 

[JrBaritono]

Al terzo posto dei migliori "Figaro" di sempre!

Primo posto all'innarivabile Sesto Bruscantini;

Secondo posto al grandissimo Aldo Protti;

Terzo posto meraviglioso Hermann Prey

[strumenina]

Dio quanto amo questo video (sarà il cantante?? sarà l'aria??)

[kostasbk]

One of the best Figaro's indeed. Hermann Prey will always be remembered.

[XXXXXAlessioXXXXX]

Bellissima canzone e bellissima interpretazione complimenti!!

[sebarobissengo]

Hermann Prey hatte eine unglaublich große Reserve, ohne Anstrengung, aus dem Ärmel geschüttlet im positiven Sinn; man vergleiche zeitgenössiche Aufnahmen, die auch gut sind, aber diese Selbstverstänlichkeit ist nicht vorhanden. Die technischen Kniffe sind bei den letztgenannten für jeden Sänger herrauszuhören. Bei Prey vergisst man es.

[TheGalegoson]

Hermann Prey is by far the best Fígaro ever...

[StephenDeMille]

@TheGalegoson Hermann Prey IS Figaro.

[AKVAEL]

вот мужик отжигает!!!!!! брааааво

[Clorofilla86]

Voglio un parrucchiere personale come Figaro XD

Scherzo... opera meravigliosa!

[jeanmolin55]

BRAVO !!!

Pieni voti: 5 stelle *****

Grazie per il post

[dajohnthomas69]

one of the scarce operasingers who makes an effort to be funny and therefor to act.

[bigus]

herman prey always a pleasure to listen to and one of my all time favorite baritones. amazing high notes resulting from great technique and a beautiful voice. like lyric version of lawrence tibbett. just listen to that wonderful nasal pharengeal resonance in the sound, would that all singers could discover it.

[seektheforce]

@bigus I'm trying I'm trying. =)

[MrTIMOTITI]

Io ho un amico che fa il parruchiere e noi la bar lo chiamiamo Figaro e lui è molto contento .

[cryozo]

hehe

[textus88]

Ineguagliabile in questa cavatina.Artista immenso.

[babynini94]

bellissima!

[LifeJuice90]

The way it should be sung. 5 stars.

[Manigran]

The best Figaro! I love Hermann's playfulness and voice! He is so wonderful in this role!

[stEPHIQUE]

@Manigran lol, check also John Rawnsley's version ;)

[VinylToVideo]

@Manigran Robert Merrill. 'Nuff said.

[isabelle070209]

Il est parfait. Même si je préfère (mais très légèrement la version où il est avec Wunderlich (en allemand^).

[himrien]

A bravo figaro bravo bravissimo ah bravo figaro bravo bravissimo fortunatissimo fortunatissimo fortunatissimo per verità trallallala trallallalà ah che fortuna ah che fortuna non mancherà sono il factotum della città son il factotum della città della città della città della città

[ertento]

Bella anche la fine "A bravo figaro bravo bravissimo figaro lalalala"

[MrRacher96]

trp bella *_*

[79cristoff]

one of the best like nicolae herlea

[nineteenforty7]

One more time;two more times;three more times and so on....marvellous!

[francesca7564]

Monsieur Hermann Prey, par delà le ciel, vous restez un des meilleurs Figaro, quelle voix, quelle diction, quelle rhymique , quelle justesse !

Les anges ont de la chance !

Con rispetto !!!

[tonyblanquito]

very good version =)

[Kenchely]

Prey is the most convincing Figaro. He has a somewhat lighter voice than some baritones, but it works well in the role.

[nineteenforty7]

Well, I think it's fabulous! I play it almost daily and I have the DVd too and [lay tho whple opera regularly. I've seen it at the theatre twice and am ready to see it again [when it comes around again]...Love the late Hermann,,,fab voice...

[d19t85]

@nineteenforty7,

One of the best DVD purchases I've ever made. Those eyebrows -not in this scene, obviously- are great, as is Alva's "impersonation" in Act 2.

[simplesimplicius]

Very good version

[peduzzi89]

wow what kind of tuning are they using...it's so high!

[LudwigZhi]

It's not high it's just fast.

[peduzzi89]

well it's still high lol but i guess that would explain it....I had just heard of some european orchestras tuning very high

[sarastro1791]

I hope that everybody who doesn't give 5 stars can do this better!

Bravo, bravissimo...!

[a06275]

Can't speak for everyone of course, but when I rate something like this, I'll compare it against other opera singers, not myself, or every video I saw would be 5 stars! LOL

[bboymasochist]

Best Figaro. Period.

[wysiwyg248]

Dude,

I think the only freak is you, learn some music and understand the libreto and you will enjoy it more. Check Tito Gobbi's version, perhaps you'd like it more.

[Antillas636]

Take a look at Prey (here in youtube) singing the Mahler cycle "Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen", it´s sublime.

[davaniel]

I work with a guy who looks exactly like Hermann Prey. I find it hilarious.

[opidacul]

I have a friend who looks just like him to!!!!!! he is an actor!!!!!

[davaniel]

Oh Really? My guys a bartender, but does a bit of acting. His names jim, and im sure if he tried, he'd be a dead on replica.

[opidacul]

my friend also can be a dead on replica although is much younger that Prey in the video. the thing is Prey voice can't be faked.

[davaniel]

Truth. He has a magnificent voice.

[oneofthousands1994]

3:49

[isabelle070209]

Aussi magnifique qu'à l'époque de son Figaro avec Wunderlich.

[Haifabass]

This is from my favorire DVD with Luigi Alva as the count and the wonderful Teressa Berganza as Rosina.

[daisyeiman]

the great voice the splendid humor..so Rossini

[sponking]

simplemente perfecto

[liric01994]

le mellieur Figaro de toujours

[JEANHIKER]

One of the best convincing Figaro! Very good technique and BEAUTIFUL voice! I simply love him. He is so... Figaro! It's very pleasing to listen to him in this role. Congratulations! Bravo, bravissimo, Figaro!

[stevevandien]

God bless Maestro Prey---and rest in peace:) --

[Hornado666]

This is Heavy Metal!

[purquiz]

yeah!

[JEANHIKER]

Are you sure this is heavy metal? I guess you're wrong! That's Rossini, classical music, good technique, and so on! :)

[Clarentia]

don't you know a joke when you see one?

[JEANHIKER]

Hey, sorry, but I don't know why you said that to me. Can you say me why? What joke do you mean? :)

[francescoif]

uno dei migliori figaro ascoltati...

e il migliore in assoluto dei figaro visti...

la cavatina sceneggiata perfettamente, con figaro allegro che si trastulla tra le cose della sua vita....

molto bello davvero...

forse l'unico migliore come voce e come recita della cavatina è tito gobbi

[luigipava]

niente contro tito gobbi

[wysiwyg248]

luigipava,

Amen

[luigipava]

perchè vuoi mette questo qui con gobbi? oh mio dio (sei senza speranza) -.-

[nobody8499]

Anche secondo me Gobbi è migliore...ma molto.

[siqillya]

Il miglior Figaro che io abbia mai sentito!

[8AHdl]

Absolut war Hermann Prey der beste Figaro aller Zeiten - auch schauspielerisch!!!

[claudiooriental]

Bravo, bravo y bravo. Como dicen más arriba, no se puede agregar nada más. Prey, que Maestro!!!

[Antillas636]

You have plenty of Lieder songs by Prey posted here in YouTube without a mic. You can also see a performance of Wagner´s "Die Meistersinger" live filmed in Bayreuth where he sings the best Beckmesser of all times.

And if that is not enough you can see a video called "Surpreys" filmed by Prey´s son (Florian). It is a mix of several videos and you can watch a few minutes of a live performance singing Largo al Factotum.

[Belcore14]

Young Prey was very good! Unfortunately I'd only heard some of his older, and quite frankly bad things.

But what a gorgeous voice and a great performer!

[nnucifera]

Qué barbaridad!! Bravo!!!! (no se puede decir nada más)

[textus88]

Hermann prey: the best Figaro of every times!!

[zmiwowws]

Echt ein zeitloses Werk!!!!!!!!!!

Aber kennt irgendwer die deutsche Version, habe ich mal auf Ö1 gehort.

Wenn mir irgendwer den Interpreten nennen könnte..........

[Changeling666]

BRAVO !!

[butterfly050689]

deas waren noch aufführungen ;)

[kingofwalzer]

ah bravo figaro,bravo bravissimo bravo!!!

[takke88]

Ah ok scusa avevo letto male..

[takke88]

Ma quale musica di mozart il barbiere è di rossini!

[MetalPicche]

lo so che è di rossini...rispondevo al commento di un'altro utente

[deadlift65]

La storica e insuperata edizione diretta da Abbado con la regia di Ponnelle. Prey è più "furbo" e meno "macho" di altri, perfetto per l'idea generale dell'opera.

[victormanueldeleonci]

BRAVO...BRAVISIMO...

[MetalPicche]

...la musica di mozart :)

[Mizernik]

Rossini...

[rossini90]

Cosa c'è di più emozionante della musica di Rossini e di questa cavatina?

[cocaineblossom]

he's SOhot.

[MAMC2014]

Esa es su voz? parace que no eh... porque justo era la voz que estaba buscando

[RolfLarsson]

My favourite operatic singer.

[pirlonga]

bella interpretazione, per chi volesse confrontarla con altre consiglio quella di Tito Gobbi

[yodevil]

Great!!!!.. il migliore per complettezza che abbia visto fino ad ora

[isilinde1982]

Hermann Prey war der beste Figaro aller Zeiten

[Aetion]

Hm, der beste Figaro aller Zeiten ... Schwer zu sagen. Wie is es mit  Tito Gobbi, z.B.?

[cocaineblossom]

Die sind ja auch gut, aber ich höre immer lieber zu Prey. Er war auch ein unglaublich fantastisch Figaro bei Il Nozze, man sollen das auch zuhören. :D ("non piu andrai", z.B)

[34fgsfgsdtu48w7qtaqt]

Il migliore!

[peduzzi89]

Why is this like a half step sharp?

[cocaineblossom]

it isn't.

[peduzzi89]

You're right it's not quite, I was just being general. I didn't wanna be an asshole and be all technical and come off as snobby. It's actually more like a quarter step sharp which is probs just European tuning.

[drakeseven]

I prefer Woody Woodpecker´s version!!!

[dinosaurxxrawr]

hahaaa thats a funny video

[Goethefemme]

I dearly loved Herman Prey as a child. What a shame I never got to see him sing. I adored his "Marta" with Gedda. Thank you for posting this.

[OperaBaritoneJoe]

Hampson gets though the orchestra better. Hampson sings the last part faster. Hampson has more volume on the money note's. Hampson sings it easier from note to note. Hampson has a better stage presence. Hampson has 100,000 views Prey has 20,000 Prey has a mushtash. Prey looks the part from the text book depictions. Prey has a darker color. Prey's acting is different and better depending on what you think. Prey has a heavier color which my be more historically accurate to Figaro in the past.

[BravaBerganza01]

I prefer Hermann Prey´s version! :)

[JustusGer]

Hampson gets though the orchestra better.

-> Hampson recordings a newer, so the quality is much better, just listen to some old LPs.

Hampson sings the last part faster.

-> Should this be a pro? The whole aria is slower.

Hampson has more volume on the money note's.

-> Not really. Which money notes?

Hampson sings it easier from note to note.

-> This is the interpretation. Listen to other arias by Prey.

Hampson has a better stage presence.

-> You ever saw him live? No, so dont talk about that.

[BravaBerganza01]

I agree with JustusGer!

I don´t like Hampson´s stage presence, it´s one thing - other thing is that Hampson is not very likable (for me). Thirdly, I don´t think that he´s better than Pray. Hermann Pray was incredible singer and he will be in memory of people veeery long time yet!!! It doesn´t matter, that this version of aria is slowly as Hampson´s (btw, it can be also conception of conductor)

Pray is better, it´s my opinion! But I accept also other opinion. How much people so much tastes. :)

[OperaBaritoneJoe]

haha, I think I made the most hated commet on youtube

[dinosaurxxrawr]

i think this is better than thomas hampson's version

[vikramkrishnan]

infinitely so

[wilypp]

You know, it's really a shame that this beautiful rendition of largo al factotum, being the best ever, has only a few views, compared to others like the rendition by Thomas Hampson, it should not be like that, this one should have that amount of views, even more, people should know about this beauty, don't you think?

[Antillas636]

This is quite bizarre not because I agree with you (completelly) but because I´ve posted a comment very similar to yours ten months ago in Hampson´s rendition of Largo al factotum, describing how many people have watched each video and the outrageous difference between one and other. Jaja.

But in the hole, being a fervent Prey fan, I think exactly the same thing.